Sway brace fitting

ABSTRACT

A versatile sway brace fitting, includes a pair of spaced jaws, for firmly and deformingly gripping a brace, and a method for manufacturing the fitting. The fitting can withstand substantial loads and is adaptable to receive a variety of braces such as bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates, among others. The fitting includes a set screw, preferably angled, and a sharp-cornered recess which assist in resisting withdrawal of the brace from the jaws. The method of manufacturing is desirably simple and expeditious, thereby ensuring that the fitting is inexpensive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/253,665, filed on Oct. 17, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,806, issuedMar. 2, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/725,867, filed on Mar. 20, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,730,issued Oct. 28, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/236,951, filed Sep. 28, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,191,987B2, issued Mar. 20, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/287,323, filed Nov. 1, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,953,174 B2, issued Oct. 11, 2005, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/929,602, filed Aug. 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,517,030 B2, issued Feb. 11, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/301,299, filed Apr. 28, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,273,372 B1, issued Aug. 14, 2001, the entirety of eachabove-identified application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for bracing pipes and otherloads, suspended below ceilings and beams, against sway and seismicdisturbances, and, in particular, to a sway brace fitting for firmlygripping a brace.

2. Background of the Related Art

There is a multitude of products in the market utilized by building andplumbing contractors for bracing and supporting pipes, ducts, sprinklersystems, fans, air-conditioners and other loads from ceilings and beams.These products include clamps, braces, hooks, straps, plates, brackets,among other items. There are various types of braces, for example,pipes, channels and angle irons, with pipes being the most commonlyused. Typically, one end of a bracing pipe is attached to the loadutilizing, for example, a clamp or a bracket. The other end of thebracing pipe is connected to the ceiling or a beam. The manner in whichthis connection is made to the ceiling or beam and the components usedare important in determining not only the load-carrying capacity of thebrace but also influence the time and labor expended in installing thebrace.

There are many types of sway brace fittings and related components inthe prior art. One commonly used sway brace fitting has female threadswhich engage one end of a correspondingly sized, threaded bracing pipe.Such a design limits the use of the fitting with threaded pipes only andcan also restrict its load-carrying capability. Additionally, the use ofa threaded pipe, as compared to using a similar unthreaded pipe,undesirably adds to the cost of the sway brace system.

Another popular sway brace fitting employs a nut-bolt combination tosecure the bracing pipe. This involves drilling a hole through thebracing pipe prior to installation. The bolt traverses the fitting andthe bracing pipe and is secured in place by the nut. Disadvantageously,the labor and/or time consumed by such an installation is an undesirableadditional expense.

Other sway brace fittings use a set screw which perpendicularly engagesthe wall of a bracing pipe and, thereby frictionally retains the bracingpipe. Some of these fittings may alternatively employ set screws with acone point which perpendicularly digs into the bracing pipe wall foradditional load-carrying capacity.

While some of the above-mentioned prior art sway brace fittings may beattachable to braces other than a bracing pipe, such as angle irons orchannels, this attachment would generally require the use of anadditional structural attachment component, thereby undesirably addingto the complexity and cost of the sway brace system and itsinstallation.

Thus, there is a need for a versatile sway brace fitting which can notonly withstand substantial loads, but is also attachable to a variety ofbracing members, is simply and expeditiously installable, is economicalto manufacture and, hence, is desirably inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sway brace fitting constructed in accordance with the presentinvention overcomes the afore-noted disadvantages by incorporating apair of spaced jaws which can accommodate a variety of braces, alongwith a set screw, preferably having a cone point and preferably beingangled, for securely and deformingly engaging the brace wall.Additionally, a yoke is incorporated with the sway brace fitting whichfacilitates attachment of the fitting to the desired surface.

The sway brace fitting is part of a bracing system used to preventswaying of pipes and other loads suspended below ceilings and beams. Thefitting firmly grips one end of the brace while the other end of thebrace is connected to the load. The yoke is used to attach the swaybrace fitting to the ceiling or beam.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sway bracefitting comprises a clamp center plate, a clamp collar plate, a setscrew, and a connector pin. The clamp center plate includes a first jawhaving a recess for receiving deformed material of the brace wall causedby forcible engagement of the brace wall with the set screw. The clampcenter plate further includes a slot for receiving the clamp collarplate and for spacing and aligning the jaws to receive an end of abrace. A support, which is preferably incorporated into the centerplate, is disposed adjacent to and above the center plate jaw andextends partially over the center plate first jaw.

Preferably, the clamp collar plate includes a pair of legs spaced by aslot having a closed end and an open end, and a second jaw with athreaded opening positioned substantially adjacent to the closed end ofthe collar plate slot. The collar plate legs are substantially U-shapedproximate to the open end and are aligned with a hole at one end of thecenter plate to receive a connector pin which couples the collar plateand the center plate.

The set screw preferably engages the collar plate threaded opening suchthat it is disposed substantially in line with the recess of the centerplate and is threadably movable in the opening. The first jaw recesspreferably has a sharp corner which engages the deformed material of thebrace wall to resist withdrawal of the brace from between the jaws.Preferably, the threaded opening is angled, which in turn angles the setscrew when it is engaged in the threaded opening. The angle orientationis such that when a tensile load is applied to the brace, the set screwis forced more tightly into the brace wall. Additionally, the centerplate preferably has an edge positioned closely adjacent to the setscrew which prevents movement of the set screw when a compressive loadis applied to the brace. Moreover, the center plate support resistsbending of the collar plate second jaw and advantageously orients asubstantial portion of the applied load parallel to the plane of thecenter plate. Preferably, the set screw has a cone point for firmlylodging in to the wall of the brace, thereby securely clamping the braceagainst the center plate first jaw.

The sway brace fitting of the present invention may be manufactured bymachining, casting or forging, but a preferred method of manufacturingthe sway brace fitting includes stamping flat strips of metal into thedesired shapes. A first strip of metal is stamped into a generallyrectangular shaped plate. The stamping includes punching an openingthrough one end of the plate, and punching a slot in an opposite end ofthe plate to create a pair of spaced legs such that the slot has aclosed end which is spaced from but aligned with the opening. Theopening is threaded and the free ends of the legs are bent into agenerally U-shape to form a clamp collar plate.

A second strip of metal is stamped into a clamp center plate. Thestamping includes punching a hole at one end of the center plate whilethe other end is formed into a jaw which has a slot adjacent to it. Theclosed end of the collar plate slot is inserted into the slot in thecenter plate so that the hole in the center plate is aligned with theU-shaped ends of the legs of the collar plate and the closed end of theslot in the collar plate fits within the slot formed in the centerplate. A set screw is then threaded into the threaded opening of thecollar plate, and a connector pin may optionally be inserted into thehole of the center plate, to form a sway brace fitting including thecenter plate, the collar plate and the set screw. This preferred methodfor manufacturing the fitting is especially suited for automatedassembly lines, wherein the simplicity and speed of the manufacturingprocess produces a desirably inexpensive end-product.

In accordance with one embodiment, a sway brace attachment is provided.The sway brace attachment generally comprises a first jaw, a second jawand a screw. The second jaw is spaced from the first jaw and is rigidlyconnected to the first jaw. The second jaw has a threaded opening. Thescrew is mounted in the threaded opening and movable towards the firstjaw to clamp a brace between the jaws. A recess is formed on the firstjaw and is adapted to receive deformed material of the brace displacedby the screw forcibly engaging the brace. The recess has a centersubstantially aligned with the screw.

In accordance with another embodiment, a sway brace fitting is provided.The sway brace fitting generally comprises a clamp with a body portion,a lower jaw and a screw. The lower jaw is on the body portion of theclamp. The lower jaw has an inner surface with a length. The screw has athreaded portion and is threadably mounted on the clamp. The screw ismovable towards the inner surface of the lower jaw to grip a wall of abrace between the lower jaw and the screw. A recess on the inner surfaceof the lower jaw provides clearance space for deformed material createdby the screw engaging the brace. The recess has a length smaller thanthe length of the inner surface of the lower jaw.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a seismic fitting is providedfor connection to a support element. The fitting generally comprises afirst jaw, a second jaw and a screw. The first jaw has a length. Thesecond jaw is spaced from the first jaw and mechanically connected tothe first jaw. The screw is threadably mounted on the second jaw andmovable towards the first jaw to clamp a portion of the support elementbetween the jaws. The first jaw has a recess with a closed facegenerally defining the depth of the recess. The recess is substantiallyaligned with the screw and has a length less than the length of thefirst jaw.

In accordance with still another embodiment, a sway brace assembly isprovided for connection to a brace for supporting a load against swayand/or seismic disturbances. The sway brace assembly generally comprisesa clamp of rigid material and a member attached to the clamp forconnecting the clamp to a support surface. The clamp generally comprisesa jaw and a screw. The jaw on the clamp has a length. The screw isthreadably mounted on the clamp and movable towards the jaw to grip thebrace between the jaw and the screw. The clamp further comprises arecess on the jaw for receiving deformed material caused by the screwforcibly engaging the brace. The recess has a length less than thelength of the jaw.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a sway brace system isprovided. The sway brace system generally comprises a brace and a clampof rigid material. The brace generally comprises a jaw engaged with awall of the brace and a screw having an end deformingly engaged with thewall of the brace. The jaw and the screw are on opposed sides of thebrace wall. The jaw includes a recess formed on an inner surface of thejaw. The recess contains deformed material of the brace caused by theengagement between the screw and the brace.

In accordance with another further embodiment, a method of securelyattaching a sway brace to a clamp is provided. The clamp generallycomprises a jaw and a screw threadably movable towards the jaw. The jawof the clamp is positioned adjacent a wall of the brace. An end of thescrew of the clamp is positioned adjacent the wall of the brace suchthat the screw and the jaw are on opposed sides of the wall. The screwis rotated to engage the wall of the brace. The wall of the brace isgripped between the screw and the jaw with sufficient force to deform aportion of the wall into a recess formed on an inner surface of the jaw.

In accordance with yet another further embodiment, a sway braceattachment is provided. The sway brace attachment generally comprises alower jaw, an upper jaw and a screw. The upper jaw is spaced from thelower jaw to form a gap therebetween and is rigidly connected to thelower jaw. The screw is threadably mounted on the upper jaw and ismovable towards the lower jaw to clamp a portion of a brace between thelower jaw and the screw. The lower jaw comprises a recess. The recess isconfigured to receive deformed material of the brace displaced by thescrew forcibly engaging the brace.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize theversatility of the present invention. The jaws of the sway brace fittingof the present invention are attachable to a variety of braces, forexample, bracing pipes, angle irons, channels, plates and the like.Additionally, the fitting described herein can reliably withstandsubstantial loads, is simply and expeditiously installable, iseconomical to manufacture and is desirably inexpensive.

Other specific provisions and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a reading and study of the specification, claimsand figures. As will be realized by those skilled in the art theinvention is capable of modifications in various respects, all withoutdeparting from the scope and utility of the invention as disclosedherein. Accordingly the specification and figures should be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a sway bracefitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sway brace fitting of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectional side view of the sway brace fitting ofFIG. 1 illustrating the deformable gripping of the brace wall;

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of the sway brace fitting of FIG. 1mounted to a substantially horizontal surface;

FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of the sway brace fitting of FIG. 1mounted to a substantially vertical surface;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of asway brace fitting constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred step during manufacture of the centerplate of the sway brace fitting of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred step during manufacture of the collarplate of the sway brace fitting of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3, a preferredembodiment of a sway brace fitting 10 constructed and assembled inaccordance with the invention comprises a clamp center plate 12, a clampcollar plate 14, a set screw 16, a bolt 24 and a nut 26. The fitting 10securely and deformingly grips a brace wall 64 of a brace 76.Additionally, a yoke 22 is incorporated with the sway brace fitting 10of the present invention.

As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sway brace fitting10 is part of a bracing system 80 used to prevent swaying of pipes andother loads, for example a pipe 76, suspended from ceilings and beams.The fitting 10 firmly grips one end 82 of the brace 76 while the otherend 84 of the brace 76 is connected to the load, for example the pipe76. The yoke 22 is used to attach the sway brace fitting 10 to theceiling or beam.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, preferably, one end 11 of the clampcenter plate 12 includes a first jaw 18 while the other end 13 has ahole 30. The inner edge of the jaw 18 has a recess 28, including a sharpcorner 36, for receiving deformed material 66 (see FIG. 3) from thebrace 76. The center plate 12 further includes a slot 32 for receivingthe collar plate 14 and an edge 34 which is located above the rear ofthe first jaw 18. Preferably, a top corner 35 of the edge 34 protrudestowards the end 11 so that the face of the edge 34 is protrudinglyangled with respect to the vertical axis of the center plate 12, as bestseen in FIG. 3. A support 33 is preferably included in the center plate12 and is situated adjacent to and above the slot 32 and extendspartially over the first jaw 18.

In the preferred embodiment, the clamp collar plate 14 (FIGS. 1 to 3,and 7) includes a pair of legs 40 and 42 spaced by a slot 44 having aclosed end 45 and an open end 47 (shown in FIG. 7), and a second jaw 20with a threaded opening 38 positioned spaced from but close to theclosed end 45 of the slot 44. Preferably, the threaded opening 38 isangled so that its longitudinal axis of symmetry is substantiallyparallel to the edge 34. The collar plate legs 40 and 42 havesubstantially U-shaped portions 46 and 48, respectively, proximate tothe open end of the slot 44. The engagement between the slot 32 of thecenter plate 12 and the slot 44 of the collar plate 14 spaces and alignsthe first jaw 18 and the second jaw 20 for receiving the brace wall 64,and also disposes the threaded opening 38 in substantial alignment withthe recess 28. Also, part 21 (see FIG. 3) of the second jaw 20 adjacentto the closed end 45 of the collar plate slot 44 is preferably disposedbelow and adjacent to the support 33 of the center plate 12. Moreover,when the collar plate 14 is in engagement with the center plate 12, theU-shaped portions 46 and 48 of the collar plate legs 40 and 42,respectively, partially substantially circumscribe respective ends ofthe center piece hole 30. This allows the bolt 24 to couple the centerplate 12 and the collar plate 14 by traversing the U-shaped portions 46and 48 and the hole 30. The collar plate 14 preferably has a thicknesswhich ensures a substantially comfortable fit into the slot 32 of thecenter plate 12. Moreover, preferably the slot 44 of the collar plate 14is so dimensioned that it can comfortably accommodate the thickness ofthe center plate 12.

Preferably, the center plate 12 and the collar plate 14 are fabricatedfrom hot-rolled low-carbon steel to meet the standards set by theUnderwriters Laboratories (U.L.), Factory Mutual Engineering (F.M.), andother such quality control groups. Additionally, the center plate 12 andthe collar plate 14 may have a plain or electro-galvanized finish.

The set screw 16 (FIGS. 1 to 3) is threadably movably disposed in thethreaded opening 38 of the collar plate. As a result of the opening 38preferably being angled, the set screw 16 is preferably angled as welland in addition is preferably disposed substantially parallely adjacentto the angled edge 34 of the center plate 12. Moreover, the set screw 16and its longitudinal axis are substantially aligned with the recess 28since the threaded opening 38 is in substantial alignment with therecess 28. Preferably, the set screw 16 includes a head 74, a threadedportion 75, and a cone point 50 for firmly lodging in to the brace wall64. The set screw 16 is preferably fabricated from a hardened carbonsteel.

The yoke 22 (FIGS. 1 to 3) includes a pair of opposing side walls 52, 54which entertain holes 58, 60, respectively, and an end wall 56 with ahole 62. The side walls 58, 60 are positioned over the U-shaped portions46, 48 of the legs 40, 42, respectively, of the collar plate 14 suchthat the bolt 24 traverses the yoke side wall holes 58, 60, the U-shapedportions 46, 48 and the center plate hole 30, thereby securing thecenter plate 12 and the collar plate 14 to one another and to the yoke22. The hole 62 of the end wall 56 facilitates coupling of the yoke 22,and hence, the sway brace fitting 10, to an attachment component (notshown) affixed to a beam or ceiling.

Preferably, the center plate 12 is about 0.375 inches thick, and has amaximum end-to-end length of about 3 inches and a maximum height ofabout 2.25 inches. Preferably, the collar plate 14 is about 0.312 inchesthick, and has a maximum end-to-end length of about 3 inches, a width ofabout 1.5 inches and a maximum height of about 1.030 inches. Thedistance between the opposing faces of the center plate slot 32 is about0.318 inches which ensures a substantially comfortable fit with theapproximately 0.312 inches thick collar plate 14. The width of thecollar plate slot 44 is about 0.385 inches, thus permitting asubstantially comfortable mating between the approximately 0.375 inchesthick center plate 12 and the collar plate 14. Preferably, the spacingbetween the first jaw 18 and the second jaw 20 is about 0.25 inches.

The maximum depth of the recess 28 of the center plate 12 is preferablyabout 0.218 inches which is generally more than sufficient toaccommodate the deformed material 66 (see FIG. 3). The recess 28 has atop open face and a bottom closed face with the open face having aperimeter size about the same as or slightly larger than thecircumferential size of the threaded portion 75 of the set screw 16.Preferably, the edge 34 of the center plate 12 is angled at about 5°with respect to the vertical axis of the center plate 12, as best seenin FIGS. 3 and 6. Preferably, the threaded opening 38 of the collarplate 14 is angled at about 5° so that its longitudinal axis of symmetryis substantially parallel to the edge 34. As a result of the opening 38preferably being angled at 5°, the set screw 16 is preferably angled at5° as well and, hence is preferably disposed substantially parallelyadjacent to the angled edge 34 of the center plate 12. Preferably, thethreaded portion 75 of the set screw 16 is about 1.25 inches long andcomprises of standard ½-inch threads. Of course, those skilled in theart will recognize that these and other dimensions presented herein aredescriptive of a preferred embodiment, and that the present inventionmay be alternatively dimensioned with efficacy.

In use, the brace 76 is inserted between the first jaw 18 and the secondjaw 20 of the sway brace fitting 10, as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Thespacing between the jaws 18 and 20 permits insertion of braces withvarious wall thicknesses, though it is preferred that the thickness ofthe brace 64 be about 25% to 75% of the jaw spacing. A torquing wrench(not shown) is used to tighten the set screw 16 against the brace wall64 until the screw head 74 breaks off. This forcible engagement of thebrace wall 64 with the set screw cone point 50 causes deformation of thebrace wall 64 and results in the recess 28 receiving brace wall deformedmaterial 66, thereby securely clamping the brace 76 against the centerplate first jaw 18.

Advantageously, the sharp corner 36 (see FIG. 3) of the recess 28engages the deformed material 66 of the brace wall 64 to resistwithdrawal of the brace 76 from between the jaws 18 and 20. Hence, theincorporation of the recess sharp corner 36 provides supplementary meansfor ensuring that the brace 76 remains firmly lodged in place.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the angled threaded hole 38 and thesubsequent angling of the set screw 16 result in the set screw 16 beinginclined towards the mouth of the first jaw 18 and second jaw 20.Advantageously, this ensures that when a tensile load is applied to thebrace 76 the set screw 16 is forced more tightly into the brace wall 64,thereby effectively enhancing the gripping power of the sway bracefitting 10. Additionally, when a compressive load is applied to thebrace 76 the center plate angled edge 34 which is positioned proximateto the set screw 16 obstructs possible movement of the set screw 16 and,hence, prevents possible bending and/or buckling of the second jaw 20,thereby permitting the sway brace fitting 10 to be reliably used athigher loading.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, and 7, the simple manner in which thecenter plate 12 and the collar plate 14 fit with one another contributesto a desirable feature of the sway brace fitting 10, partially due tothe center plate support 33. A substantial portion of the load appliedperpendicular to the plane of the second jaw 20 of the collar plate 14is supported by the center plate support 33. Advantageously, this loadis favorably oriented parallel to the plane of the support 33, andthereby the center plate 12, which effectively improves the strength ofthe sway brace fitting 10 and allows it to withstand higher loads.Additionally, the support 33 provides a strong physical barrier whichresists bending of the second jaw 20 of the collar plate 14.

Therefore, the incorporation of the sharp corner 36 in the recess 28 ofthe center plate first jaw 18, the preferably angled threaded opening 38in the collar plate second jaw 20, the edge 34 of the center plate firstjaw 18, and the support 33 of the center plate 12 each contribute notonly to enhancing the load-carrying capacity of the sway brace fitting10, but also provide a built-in safety redundancy which adds extradegrees of security and reliability in use of the sway brace fitting 10.The preferred embodiment of the fitting 10 illustrated herein can safelywithstand loads of over about 5000 pounds.

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate the mounting of the sway bracefitting 10 and the manner in which it may be used to brace a load suchas, for example, a pipe 78, against sway and seismic disturbances. Ofcourse, the sway brace fitting 10 can alternatively be used for bracingother loads such as ducts, sprinkler systems, fans, air-conditioners,heaters, among others. The pipe 78 is fastened to the brace 76 by using,for example, a clamp 68, though other types of fastening devices may beused with efficacy. FIG. 4A illustrates the sway brace fitting 10mounted on a horizontal surface 70, such as that of a beam or a ceiling,via an attachment member (not shown) which is engaged with the yoke 22.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4B the fitting 10 may be mountedto a vertical surface 72, such as that of a beam or a wall.

The brace 76 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B can be a bracing pipe, an angleiron or a channel which has a wall 64 gripped by the sway brace fitting10. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the brace 76 may be a plate with awall 64 lodged in the fitting 10. This exemplifies the versatility ofthe sway brace fitting of the present invention wherein it is adaptableto various types of braces. In contrast, conventional sway bracefittings are typically restricted to a single type of brace and wouldneed additional attachment components for accommodating different typesof braces, thereby adding to the cost and complexity of the sway bracesystem and to its installation.

The sway brace fitting 10 of the present invention may be manufacturedby casting or machining, but a preferred method of manufacturing thesway brace fitting 10 includes stamping flat strips of metal into thedesired shapes (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Referring to FIG. 7, a first stripof metal is stamped into a generally rectangular shaped plate 14″. Thestamping includes punching an opening 39, preferably angled, through oneend of the plate, and punching an elongated slot 44 in an opposite endof the plate to create a pair of spaced legs 40 and 42 such that theslot 44 has a closed end 45 which is spaced from but aligned with theopening 39. The opening 39 is threaded to form a threaded opening 38(see, for example, FIG. 2). The free ends 46′ and 48′ of the legs 40 and42, respectively, are bent along the lines marked 86 and 88 (shown inFIG. 7), respectively, into a pair of generally U-shaped portions 46 and48 to form a clamp collar plate 14 (see, for example, FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 6, a second strip of metal is stamped into a clampcenter plate 12. The stamping includes punching a hole 30 at one end 13of the plate 12 while the other end 11 is formed into a first jaw 18 anda support 33 for the collar plate second jaw 20. The first jaw 18 has arecess 28 which in turn has a sharp corner 36, the first jaw 18 having aslot 32 adjacent to it. The closed end 45 of the collar plate slot 44(FIGS. 2 and 7) is inserted into the slot 32 of the center plate 12 sothat the hole 30 in the center plate 12 is aligned with the U-shapedends 46 and 48 of the legs 40 and 42 of the collar plate 14. Of course,alternatively, the center plate 12 can be inserted into the slot 44 inthe collar plate 14 (FIGS. 2 and 7) so that the hole 30 in the centerplate 12 is aligned with the U-shaped ends 46 and 48 of the legs 40 and42 of the collar plate 14 and the closed end of the slot 44 in thecollar plate 12 fits within the slot 32 formed in the center plate. Theset screw 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is then threaded into the threaded opening38 of the collar plate 12 so that it is positioned adjacent to thecenter plate edge 34, and optionally the bolt 24 may be inserted intothe hole 30 of the center plate 12 and the nut 26 threaded on to thebolt 24, to form the sway brace fitting 10. With the bolt 24 sopositioned the plates 12 and 14 are then interlocked so that the jaws 18and 20 are spaced to receive a brace.

The above-described method is especially suited for automated assemblylines, wherein stamping, punching and bending operations can beefficiently executed. The simplicity and speed of this manufacturingmethod results in an end-product that is economical to manufacture and,thus is desirably inexpensive. Of course, alternatively, the componentsof the sway brace fitting may be machined but this process is more timeconsuming and, consequently, more expensive.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 a swaybrace fitting 10′ includes a clamp 12′ which is casted as a singlepiece. The clamp 12′ essentially unifies the clamp center plate 12 andthe clamp collar plate 14 (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The casted clamp 12′ issubstantially cannon-shaped, but is functionally substantiallyequivalent to the combination of the center plate 12 and the collarplate 14 of the fitting 10 as described hereinabove and shown, forexample, in FIGS. 1 to 3. The clamp 12′ comprises a first jaw 18′ with arecess 28′ which in turn includes a sharp corner 36′, a second jaw 20′with a threaded opening 38′, preferably angled, and a hole 30′ forreceiving the bolt 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Since the relevant structureand operation of the sway brace fitting 10′ are substantially the sameas that of the fitting 10 (FIGS. 1 to 4), they will not be repeatedhere. In FIG. 5, like numerals refer to like members as characterized inFIGS. 1 to 4.

The utility and versatility of the present invention will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. The sway brace fitting of thisinvention can not only withstand substantial loads, but is alsoadaptable to a variety of braces, is simply and expeditiouslyinstallable, is economical to manufacture and, hence, desirablyinexpensive.

While the components and method of the present invention have beendescribed with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest thatmany changes may be made in the specific designs, constructions andmethodology hereinabove described without departing from the spirit andscope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes ofexemplification, but is to be defined only by a fair reading of theappended claims, including the full range of equivalency to which eachelement thereof is entitled.

1. A method of bracing loads that are suspended below ceilings or beamsagainst sway and seismic disturbances, the method comprising providing afitting comprising a jaw and a portion surrounding a passage, the jawcomprising a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion spaced from saidfirst jaw portion to form a gap therebetween, a set bolt comprising ahead and a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the set bolt beingreceived within a threaded opening of the second jaw portion and beingmovable toward said first jaw portion, a yoke comprising a side wall andan end wall, the side wall extending in a first plane and the end wallextending in a second plane such that the first plane and the secondplane are non-parallel to one another, the side wall comprising a holesubstantially aligned with the passage of the fitting and the end wallcomprising an opening for receiving an attachment member for connectingthe yoke to at least one of a ceiling, a wall and a beam, and aconnecting member extending through the passage of the fitting and thehole of the side wall of the yoke to swivelably connect the clamp andthe yoke; securing the fitting to the at least one of the ceiling, thewall and the beam using the attachment member; inserting a first end ofa brace into the gap formed between the first jaw portion and the secondjaw portion; tightening the set screw into engagement with the brace anddeforming a portion of the brace within the jaw; and connecting a secondend of the brace to a suspended load.
 2. The method of bracing loads ofclaim 1, wherein the fitting is secured to the at least one of theceiling, the wall and the beam using the attachment member before thebrace is inserted into the gap formed between the first jaw portion andthe second jaw portion.
 3. The method of bracing loads of claim 1,wherein the tightening the set screw into engagement with the brace isperformed before connecting a second end of the brace to the suspendedload.
 4. The method of bracing loads of claim 1, wherein the attachmentmember comprises a threaded fastener.
 5. The method of bracing loads ofclaim 4, wherein the attachment member comprises a bolt.
 6. The methodof bracing loads of claim 1, wherein the suspended load comprises apipe.
 7. The method of bracing loads of claim 1, wherein the bracecomprises a pipe.
 8. The method of bracing loads of claim 1, wherein thefirst jaw comprises a recess and wherein tightening the set screwresults in a portion of the brace being deformed into the recess in thejaw.
 9. The method of bracing loads of claim 8, wherein the recesscomprises a sharp corner that engages the portion of the brace that isdeformed into the recess in the jaw.
 10. The method of bracing loads ofclaim 1, wherein the set screw comprises a cone point and tightening theset screw into engagement with the brace further comprises firmlylodging the set screw into a wall of the brace.
 11. The method ofbracing loads of claim 1, wherein the set screw is tightened until ahead of the set screw breaks off.
 12. The method of bracing loads ofclaim 1, wherein connecting the second end of the brace to the suspendedload comprises connecting the second end of the brace to a clamp andconnecting the clamp to the suspended load.
 13. A method ofmanufacturing a sway brace fitting, the method comprising casting afitting comprising a passage and a jaw, the jaw comprising a first jawportion and a second jaw portion spaced from said first jaw portion toform a gap therebetween, a first passage extending through the secondjaw portion and a second passage extending through the fitting; formingthreads in the passage through the second jaw portion of the fitting;inserting into the threaded passage through the second jaw portion ofthe fitting a set bolt comprising a head and a threaded portion, thethreaded portion of the set bolt being receivable within the threadedpassage of the second jaw portion of the fitting and being movabletoward said first jaw portion of the fitting; forming a yoke comprisinga side wall and an end wall, the side wall extending in a first planeand the end wall extending in a second plane such that the first planeand the second plane are non-parallel to one another, the side wall ofthe yoke comprising a hole; and securing a connecting member in the holein the side wall of the yoke and the second passage of the fitting suchthat the fitting and the yoke are pivotally connected by the threadedmember.
 14. The method of manufacturing a sway brace fitting of claim13, wherein the first passage of the second jaw portion of the fittingcomprises a central axis and the first jaw portion comprises a surfacethat will abut a clamped member, the central axis extending at an angleother than 90 degrees relative to the surface that will abut the clampedmember.
 15. The method of manufacturing a sway brace fitting of claim14, wherein the central axis extends toward the surface of the first jawportion at an angle away from an open end defined by the first jawportion and the second jaw portion such that removal of the clampedmember can be resisted by the set bolt.